Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Parker, TX Outdoor Cooking: BBQ & Propane Rules (2026)

Light Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

General burn restriction
250 feet from any structure
Barbecue exemption
Small fires, attended at all times
Container burning distance
50 feet from any structure
Fine for violation
Up to $100, § 93.99(C)
Variance available
Permit via City Secretary, § 93.22

Summary

Parker bans burning rubbish, trash or other combustible material within 250 feet of a structure without an approved container, but exempts backyard barbecues from that restriction under § 93.20(A)(3), so long as the fire stays small and is attended and supervised at all times.

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to burn rubbish, trash, waste, leaves, grass, lumber, or any other combustible material in or on any street or alley or on any lot within 250 feet of any structure in the city. (2) It shall be lawful to burn the aforementioned material in containers approved by the Fire Marshal or other person designated by the City Council so long as the container is located at least 50 feet from any structure. (3) The foregoing requirements shall not apply to social fires (barbecues, campfires, and the like) so long as those fires are small and are at all times attended and supervised by a responsible party.

Full Breakdown

20(A)(1) makes it unlawful to burn rubbish, trash, waste, leaves, grass, lumber or other combustible material in a street, alley or on a lot within 250 feet of any structure in the city. Division (A)(2) allows that burning only inside a container approved by the Fire Marshal or a person the City Council designates, and only if the container sits at least 50 feet from any structure. ' That means a backyard barbecue is not held to the 250-foot burn ban or the 50-foot container distance that applies to trash burning, provided it stays small and someone is watching it the whole time.

Division (B) reinforces the attendance requirement for permitted fires generally, requiring fire-extinguishing equipment be readily available at all times. 22 by showing necessity and no safety hazard to the community. The code does not separately regulate propane cylinder storage or grill placement on balconies for multifamily housing.

Violations & Fines

A social fire that is not small, or that is left unattended, loses the § 93.20(A)(3) exemption and is treated as an unpermitted burn subject to the chapter's fire rules; § 93.99(C) makes any violation of §§ 93.20 et seq. a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $100 on conviction. The Fire Marshal can also order a hazardous barbecue extinguished or prohibited under § 93.21 regardless of size.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have a backyard barbecue near my house in Parker?
Yes. Section 93.20(A)(3) exempts social fires such as barbecues and campfires from the general 250-foot burn restriction and the 50-foot container rule, as long as the fire stays small and is attended and supervised by a responsible party at all times.
Does Parker require a permit for a barbecue or campfire?
No permit is required for a small, attended social fire under § 93.20(A)(3); a burning permit under § 93.22 is only needed for fires that would otherwise fall under the general burn restriction, and it must show necessity and no safety hazard to the community.
Can the Fire Marshal stop my barbecue even if it's small?
Yes. Section 93.21 gives the Fire Marshal or an appointed representative authority to prohibit any permitted fire, including a barbecue, that is deemed hazardous to public safety or health, regardless of the § 93.20(A)(3) exemption.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Parker

All Parker rules

Texas rules heatmap·Compare Parker to another location·View the Texas outdoor cooking overview

Get notified when BBQ & Propane Rules in Parker, TX changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.

BBQ & Propane Rules in Nearby Cities

How other cities in Collin County handle bbq & propane rules.

Plano, TX
Some Restrictions
Frisco, TX
Significant Restrictions